Who Can Benefit from a Diabetic Alert Service Dog?
People that may lack hypoglycemia awareness should consider obtaining a Diabetic Alert dog that will help with keeping them safe and assist in monitoring their glucose levels. If you are relying on insulin to control your diabetes that is a strong argument to have a diabetic alert dog with you. Individuals who have frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) episodes combined with accompanying health problems might want to consider the advantages of having a diabetic alert service dog. According to the “Diabetic Alert Dogs: A Preliminary Survey of Current Users” paper published by the American Diabetes Association, many diabetics who use a service dog agree on the following:
1) A diabetic alert dog gives them peace of mind that their dog will alert them to an upcoming hypoglycemia episode on time.
2) The diabetic alert dog contributes to their comfortable and happier life.
3) The service dog enables them to participate in more physical activities.
What Makes a Good Diabetic Alert Service Dog?
Most service dog trainers prefer breeds that are famous for their keen sense of smell as they are likely to be more accurate in detecting low blood sugar levels than other dogs. However, there are no breed restrictions per law and you could train your own diabetic alert dog if you are motivated and have free time to do so. Please, note that having a diabetic alert dog with you does not mean you should not use testing kits and even the best diabetic alert dogs are known to be correct 95% of the time. The primary advantage of diabetic alert dogs is that they can smell your breath and alert you in advance when your glucose levels are dropping. That way you can take a seat, open your test kit and take the appropriate measures to avoid injury or a severe health problem.
If you are thinking about acquiring a service dog you will need to be mindful of several important factors. It is good to start by considering your allergies and how physically active you are. Are you fond of smaller or bigger breeds? How much space do you have at home and who will do the training of the animal. The costs associated with food, grooming and regular visits (once every 6 months at a minimum) to the veterinarian should not be overlooked.
Golden Retrievers — they are preferred by many trainers due to their versatility, intelligence, easygoing personality, and very good health. The representatives feature a coat that can be Dark Golden Light Golden and Golden. They can be a bit vocal but they are easily socialized. These dogs can work in a family setting where there are small children and pets as well. The Golden Retriever will need 2 hours of walking a day and loves toys. The Golden Retrievers are loved for their calm temperament, discipline and are very easy to train because they are highly motivated by food.
Standard Poodle — the breed is excellent for diabetic alert because of its intelligence, loving nature and they come in various colors (White, Black, Apricot, and Red). The Standard Poodle loves games and can live comfortably with other pets at home like cats and small birds. The breed requires regular grooming and many prefer to have them professionally groomed. The Standard Poodle adapts well to apartment living and houses. The breed is excellent with kids and will thrive on a lot of attention.
Dachshund — these dogs have been bred for hunting and have a very strong sense of smell. The breed is relatively small and can be carried if needed. The Dachshund can be a bit aloof and will need a patient trainer. The representatives come in the following color variants: Black & Tan, Chocolate & Cream, Red, and Wild Boar. They do not shed too much and do not require significant grooming efforts. The breed is suitable for families and can adapt to small apartments. If you are not engaged in many physical activities and prefer a more laid-back lifestyle the Dachshund can be your new best friend.
Labradoodle — as the name may reveal these dogs are a mix of a Labrador and a Poodle. They come in a few colors including Chalk, Apricot, Black, and Chocolate. These dogs are smart and have lots of energy to burn. They are easy to train and will need a vigilant caretaker who will prevent them from going overboard. These dogs are excellent with kids and other dogs. The Labradoodle is easily motivated by food and will need an active person to take them for a walk at least two hours per day. They can be a bit vocal and will need regular grooming. The Labradoodle can be a rascal sometimes but they are very affectionate.
Dalmatian — the puppies are born with a pure white coat and their black spots appear as they grow. The representatives of the breed are famous for their intelligence, calm temperament, and quiet nature. The Dalmatians are loving dogs that can mix with other dogs and other pets nicely. They are easy to train and they are generally healthy. It is best not to skip on visits to the veterinarian and take them for a walk at least two hours per day. The Dalmatian can be very affectionate and may suffer from separation anxiety if you have not taken the time to build their confidence and accustom them to your absence.
How Are CPL’s Service Dogs for Diabetes Trained?
CPL diabetes alert dogs are trained to detect low blood sugar levels in their early stages, before the blood sugar levels become too dangerous. The dogs are able to do this through smell. There are distinct odors that accompany different blood sugar levels. In order to train our dogs to help those with diabetes, the applicant will take a sample of their saliva on dental cotton when their blood sugar is at 70. This sample is used in training. During the final stages of training, the diabetes alert dog is trained to detect their person’s saliva sample scent. After the dog is fully trained to help their diabetic partner, the pair will attend team training on CPL’s campus in Cochranville, PA for 2 1/2 more weeks of personalized training.
Service Dogs: Top Diabetic Assistance Dog Breeds – Service Dogs for People w Diabetes – Animal Facts
Hypoglycemia unawareness is a common — and dangerous — condition that can develop in those with type 1 diabetes. This condition means you don’t experience the symptoms most people do when their blood sugar gets too low. Normal symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, shaking, or confusion. At very low levels, you may experience seizures, or go into a coma if your blood sugar is too low for too long. One of the solutions for this condition is man’s best friend: a diabetes service dog.
Dogs have a naturally heightened sense of smell that makes them excellent hunters. Professional trainers have learned to harness these skills by training dogs to recognize certain smells. These could include the fruity smelling ketones a person’s body produces when they are experiencing a hyperglycemic episode when blood sugar is too high, or the unique scent a person gives off during a hypoglycemic episode when blood sugar is too low.
A diabetes service dog isn’t a replacement for checking blood sugar levels. However, it is a safeguard for those who experience episodes low or high blood sugar, especially if they do not have warning symptoms.
There are several service dog-training programs across the country. Examples include the National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs (NIDAD) and Diabetic Alert Dog University.
These organizations train a dog to recognize the difference between certain scents. This includes the scent a person releases when their blood sugar is high or low.
According to Dogs 4 Diabetics, there are two different levels of service dogs for people with diabetes. Medical response dogs for diabetes are trained to respond to signs that an owner may be experiencing low blood sugar levels, once they have become symptomatic. A diabetic alert dog, on the other hand, is trained to recognize changes in a person’s blood chemistry, which often allows the dog to alert the person or the caregivers to take action in the important window of time 15 to 30 minutes before symptoms occur.
If a person has a dog they wish to train to become a diabetes alert dog, they can submit it for testing to determine if the dog has the temperament and scenting ability required. Most service dogs are between 1 and 2 years old when they are placed with their owners according to the NIDAD.
Dogs are trained to react in different ways to an owner who is having a high or low blood sugar episode. Examples include:
Dogs may also perform other activities in addition to alerting their owners about changes in blood sugar. These can include:
Dogs 4 Diabetics, a provider of diabetic service dogs, estimates the cost of breeding, raising, and training a dog that can recognize diabetic emergencies at around $35,000. There are also nonprofit agencies that provide diabetic service dogs at low cost, and sometimes even for free, but their waiting lists tend to be long.
You can contact a professional organization such as Assistance Dogs International, to find out more about programs in your area that may train diabetes service dogs. You may also ask your endocrinologist for recommendations for potential dog-training organizations.
You can also contact organizations that train service dogs directly. Many of them have online applications where a person who is interested in obtaining a service dog can begin to find out more. Many organizations will ask for:
The selection and match process can vary based on the organization. The selection process can be extensive and often requires that a potential owner meet with a dog several times before the dog is specifically trained to recognize the owner’s specific scent.
Not all people with diabetes may benefit from, or need, a diabetes service dog. Examples of people who could benefit from service dogs include:
If you or a loved one do not experience frequent episodes of hypoglycemia or you’re able to control your blood sugar with oral medications, you may not need the added expense and responsibility of a service dog.
In terms of expenses, insurance companies may pay for the costs associated with a diabetes service dog. However, their owners are often required to carry health insurance for the dog as well as provide for food and other veterinary expenses associated with caring for the dog. Having a diabetes service dog is an investment in time and funds, and is a relationship that will ideally last at least a decade for the dog and owner.
Having a service dog is a commitment on the part of the owner to take the time necessary to build a bond with a service dog to ensure they can work well together. A dog may be “working” with its owner, but developing a loving bond is also very important.
An owner must also care for their dog by feeding, bathing, exercising, and maintaining regular veterinary appointments. For those who were not able to receive a service dog from insurance coverage, they may also be responsible for significant costs in obtaining the dog as well.
There are certainly time commitments and responsibilities associated with caring for a service dog, but the rewards can be great. According to a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, published by the American Diabetes Association, owners of a diabetic alert dog reported the following benefits:
It can take a lot of time, money, and training to place a diabetes alert dog with an owner. If you are considering seeking out this opportunity, contact an organization with a long history of successfully placing dogs with owners.